‘Spray-on roads’ to be used at UAE’s Mleiha Fort

GRT will work with local contractors to deploy its polymer system to sand and earth walking trails, and gravel roads.

‘Spray-on roads’ will be deployed at the UAE’s Mleiha Fort to protect the archaeological site from the impacts of modern tourism.

Mleiha Fort, located in the Emirate of Sharjah, is considered to be amongst the most important archaeological sites in the GCC. It boasts evidence of Greek, Persian, and Indian trade routes and artefacts dating back thousands of years.

The system, developed by Global Road Technology (GRT), has been enlisted by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) in anticipation of increased tourist numbers at the Sharjah-located archaeological site.

Commenting on the contract, Troy Adams, managing director of GRT, said: It is a credit to our world-class researchers; we can deliver roads and walkways in a different way to traditional methods, using [fewer] imported materials, water, and manpower.

“Traditional methods use petroleum-based products such as bitumen, and trucking in large amounts of gravel or other roadbase, which could harm this important cultural site. GRT has experience working with environmentally sensitive sites to ensure the custodians can balance the desire of the public to see and explore these areas, while minimising any harm to priceless artefacts and the surrounding landscape,” he added.

GRT will work with local contractors to deploy its polymer system to sand and earth walking trails, and gravel roads. The technology will allow visitors to drive to the site and walk around in all weather conditions without impacting their surroundings.

The result, according to GRT, will be harder-wearing road surfaces and walkways that retain their natural look and colour, but that are more resistant to wear from weather and traffic.

“While our roads have less impact on the environment, they are just as capable of handling the loads and wear of hundreds of thousands of people non foot, arriving by car, or by tour coach,” said Adams.

“We are proud to have been chosen to work with the local development authority, and to help showcase this important site to visitors around the world,” he concluded.